Living up north speeds up MS onset by two years – with darker winters to blame

Research has revealed how far north you live could have an impact on your health

By Sara Kamouni

4th November 2016, 10:43 am

Updated: 5th November 2016, 2:08 pm

WE know there's a north-south divide when it comes to culture and economics - but a new study suggests how far north you live could also have an impact on your health.

Research led by scientists from the University of Tasmania has revealed the further north you live, the earlier symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) develop - with every 10 degrees in latitude linked with a 10-month earlier onset.

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Over 100,000 people in the UK have multiple sclerosis, a neurological disease

Previous studies have linked latitude with the prevalence of the neurodegenerative disease, but this was the first to examine the age at which symptoms start - looking at data from over 22,000 patients in 21 countries.

While the disease's exact cause remains unknown, it is thought a number of genetic and environmental factors have an effect - including latitude, exposure to sunlight and vitamin D levels.

Shockingly, those who had the least sunlight exposure in the winter months developed symptoms nearly two years earlier than those who had the most.

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Professor Bruce Taylor, the study's lead author, said: "The explanations of this geographical variation have largely been considered to reflect changes in ambient ultraviolet radiation and or ... variations in vitamin D sufficiency although this is by no means the only potential explanation.

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The study showed getting less sunlight in winter has an effect on how early MS symptoms develop

"In the present study, we sought to evaluate whether there was any evidence of a latitudinal variation in the age of symptom onset of MS and if so, whether such variation could be ascribed to a similar UV-based mechanism or if other factors were at play.

"We found evidence that those living at higher latitude had a significantly younger age at onset, with every 10° increase in latitude associated with around a 10-month earlier age at onset.

What is multiple sclerosis?

- MS is a neurological condition
- It can affect the brain and/or spinal cord
- It is caused when the immune system doesn't work properly
- Symptoms vary, but can include muscle stiffness and spasms, difficulty walking and vision problems
- It can also cause balance problems and difficulty thinking
- There is no cure for MS

‘Accordingly, we found a positive association between a lower winter ambient UV level and an earlier age at onset, these results are neatly in harmony due to the known relationship between UV levels and latitude.’